Philippine food exporters bagged about $109 million (or some P5 billion) in sales at the world’s biggest annual food and hospitality show held at the United Arab Emirates last month.

According to the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem), premium, healthy and Halal-certified products showcased by the 24 Philippine companies that participated at the 21st Gulfood: Gulf Food Hotel and Equipment Exhibition and Salon Culinaire were all well received by the Dubai market.

Topping the list of best-selling items were rice and fresh bananas. Also considered a hit during the event were noodles, coconut products and by-products, canned fruits and dried mangoes, canned seafood fermented marine products, confectioneries, snacks, chips, sauces and condiments.

Citem also saw a great opportunity for Philippine coffee in the Middle East from the volume of inquiries about ground and whole coffee beans. This presents a potential for the creation of new and innovative coffee branding, the Citem said.

Citem executive director Rosvi Gaetos said the country’s participation at the Gulfood was aimed at enabling Philippine food exporters to capture a bigger share of the food industry in the United Araba Emirates. UAE’s food imports were expected to grow to $400 billion in 30 years.

“As FoodPhilippines is set to establish the country as one of the key sourcing destinations for food products to the rest of the world, Citem introduces a range of natural new and exciting flavors to the international market along with its prime food commodities exported to Dubai,” Gaetos said.

FoodPhilippines is a branding initiative of Citem, meant to reinforce the image of the Philippines as a source of quality food products derived from fresh, healthy and natural ingredients.

Under this industry brand, the Philippines is positioned as Asia’s most exciting source of food exports, being one of the world’s top exporters of fresh fruits and marine products.

FoodPhilippines also unifies the promotional efforts of the government in overseas trade exhibitions and events to project one brand, one image, one voice. Inquirer.net